INDIANAPOLIS – West Texas A&M quarterback Dustin Vaughan knows that being at the combine doesn’t guarantee that he won’t go undrafted in May.

But the Corpus Christi Calallen graduate takes heart in knowing that he could still enter and maybe even thrive in the NFL as an undrafted free agent.

Scouts like Vaughan’s size (6 foot 4, 234 pounds) and strong arm. He led the nation in passing last season, throwing for 5,401 yards and 53 touchdowns on 447-of-675 accuracy.

“You look at the Seahawks this year,” Vaughn said. “There Super Bowl team was made up of, like, 22, 23 (actually 21) free agents. So there is still hope after the draft.

“Everyone is aiming to be drafted, but there are a certain amount of spots. There is that chance to still push and make a career out of football.”

With that in mind, Vaughan spoke recently with quarterback Case Keenum, who joined the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Houston in 2012 after becoming the NCAA’s all-time leader in passing yardage (19,217) touchdowns (155).

“He’s an awesome guy, a great guy with character and great humility,” Vaughan said of Keenum. “I kind of wanted to pick his brain because (of how he entered the league). He said just enjoy the process and the opportunity you have because not a lot of people get this opportunity.”